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The Countdown Challenge

Untangle six anagrams, then find six expressions that hit their target. Every supplied number is used once.

Free to use with your own team, courtesy of WorkplaceHero - workplacehero.co.uk

Question sheet

  1. 1. Rearrange RTEABOMER to name an atmospheric-pressure instrument.
    • A. THERMOMETER
    • B. BAROMETER
    • C. ANEMOMETER
    • D. ALTIMETER
  2. 2. Which shape can be made by rearranging all eight letters of NITRAGEL?
    • A. RECTANGLE
    • B. PENTAGON
    • C. TRIANGLE
    • D. TRAPEZIUM
  3. 3. Rearrange CROSHETRA to name a large group of instrumental musicians.
    • A. ORCHESTRA
    • B. CHORISTERS
    • C. ENSEMBLES
    • D. QUARTET
  4. 4. Rearrange RAPACHUTE to name equipment that slows a descent through air.
    • A. PARAGLIDER
    • B. PROPELLER
    • C. AIRBRAKES
    • D. PARACHUTE
  5. 5. Which instrument can be made by rearranging MOCSIPORCE?
    • A. PERISCOPE
    • B. MICROSCOPE
    • C. SPECTROMETER
    • D. STETHOSCOPE
  6. 6. Rearrange TALUSAP to name a kitchen utensil.
    • A. STRAINER
    • B. LADLE
    • C. SPATULA
    • D. STEAMER
  7. 7. Use 75, 8, 6, 4 and 3 once each. Which expression equals 673?
    • A. (75 - 8) × (6 + 4) + 3
    • B. (75 + 8) × (6 + 4) - 3
    • C. (75 - 8) × (6 + 3) + 4
    • D. (75 - 6) × (8 + 3) + 4
  8. 8. Use 100, 7, 6, 25 and 8 once each. Which expression equals 625?
    • A. (100 - 7) × 6 + 25 + 8
    • B. (100 + 7) × 6 + 25 - 8
    • C. (100 + 8) × 6 - 25 + 7
    • D. (100 + 7) × 6 - 25 + 8
  9. 9. Use 50, 9, 8, 3 and 7 once each. Which expression equals 642?
    • A. (50 + 8) × (9 + 3) - 7
    • B. (50 + 9) × (8 + 3) - 7
    • C. (50 + 7) × (9 + 3) - 8
    • D. (50 + 9) × (8 + 7) - 3
  10. 10. Use 75, 8, 6, 3 and 4 once each. Which expression equals 202?
    • A. (75 × 8 + 6) ÷ 3 + 4
    • B. (75 × 8 - 6) ÷ 3 - 4
    • C. (75 × 8 - 6) ÷ 3 + 4
    • D. (75 × 8 - 3) ÷ 6 + 4
  11. 11. Use 100, 7, 9, 3 and 25 once each. Which expression equals 583?
    • A. (100 - 7) × (9 - 3) + 25
    • B. (100 + 7) × (9 - 3) - 25
    • C. (100 - 9) × (7 - 3) + 25
    • D. (100 - 3) × (9 - 7) + 25
  12. 12. Use 50, 8, 9, 6 and 7 once each. Which expression equals 623?
    • A. (50 - 8) × (9 + 7) - 6
    • B. (50 - 7) × (9 + 6) - 8
    • C. (50 - 6) × (9 + 8) - 7
    • D. (50 - 8) × (9 + 6) - 7

Answer sheet (for the quizmaster)

  1. 1. B - BAROMETER
    BAROMETER uses exactly A, B, E, E, M, O, R, R, T, the same letters as RTEABOMER.
  2. 2. C - TRIANGLE
    TRIANGLE uses exactly A, E, G, I, L, N, R, T.
  3. 3. A - ORCHESTRA
    ORCHESTRA uses exactly A, C, E, H, O, R, R, S, T.
  4. 4. D - PARACHUTE
    PARACHUTE uses exactly A, A, C, E, H, P, R, T, U.
  5. 5. B - MICROSCOPE
    MICROSCOPE uses exactly C, C, E, I, M, O, O, P, R, S.
  6. 6. C - SPATULA
    SPATULA uses exactly A, A, L, P, S, T, U.
  7. 7. A - (75 - 8) × (6 + 4) + 3
    67 × 10 + 3 = 673. The other expressions give 827, 607 and 763.
  8. 8. D - (100 + 7) × 6 - 25 + 8
    107 × 6 - 25 + 8 = 625. The other expressions give 591, 659 and 630.
  9. 9. B - (50 + 9) × (8 + 3) - 7
    59 × 11 - 7 = 642. The other expressions give 689, 676 and 882.
  10. 10. C - (75 × 8 - 6) ÷ 3 + 4
    594 ÷ 3 + 4 = 202. The others give 206, 194 and 103.5.
  11. 11. A - (100 - 7) × (9 - 3) + 25
    93 × 6 + 25 = 583. The others give 617, 389 and 219.
  12. 12. D - (50 - 8) × (9 + 6) - 7
    42 × 15 - 7 = 623. The others give 666, 637 and 741.